Downingtown East grads set to take unique paths

Staff photos by Tom Kelly IV
The Downingtown Area School District's East Campus held their 11th annual commencement ceremony as part of the school district's 133rd annual graduation. The ceremony was held at Kottmeyer Stadium, Thursday night, June 5, 2014.

Staff photos by Tom Kelly IV
The Downingtown Area School District's East Campus held their 11th annual commencement ceremony as part of the school district's 133rd annual graduation. The ceremony was held at Kottmeyer Stadium, Thursday night, June 5, 2014. Here, Valedictorian Andrew Ciciriello speaks to the class of 2014.

DOWNINGTOWN — Downingtown East High School graduated 402 students on Thursday. The graduates were urged to create their own paths to take on with confidence and overcome failures.

Commencement speaker Philip Crompton, the class’ salutatorian, said that while the 402 graduates took the same paths at East, they will take unique paths after walking away with their diplomas.

“But this is probably the last time that all of our paths will cross,” Crompton said. “No matter which path you decide to follow, I say take it on with confidence.”

He said they will miss what made the “East identity one-of-a-kind, the things that made us special as a class.” He encouraged his classmates to remember their worthwhile high school memories when they will have “more important and fun-filled memories in the future” that won’t replace their memories from East.

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“This is the moment that we’ve all been working for for four years. This is when we go out and take the world by storm,” Crompton said. “And I hope they can handle our amazingly talented class.”

Commencement speaker Andrew Ciciriello, the class’s valedictorian, thanked educators and parents for being the teacher who “pushed us to work toward our maximum potential.”

He said that accepting a diploma is accepting a challenge to create one’s own future.

“Making your own path is your responsibility,” Ciciriello said. “Sticking behind what you believe in must be a priority.”

In a lesson to overcome their fears, he said they are capable of continuing on, as they have already reached this point as class of 2014.

“Our time at Downingtown has taught us to never be afraid of what lies ahead,” Ciciriello said. “We might have been scared when we started kindergarten, but we pushed on and it’s amazing how far we’ve come.”

East Principal Paul Hurley gave the graduates one last challenge to create their own futures by directing their life choices.

“Seniors, being present in each moment of each day, and focusing on the now, is how you actually shape your future. Life isn’t something that happens to you. You direct your life by making choices. Even when events or outside forces seem to be guiding your life for you, it’s how you respond to those events that creates your future,” Hurley said. “Knowing that what you do in any given moment is the control you have over your future, I challenge you to live fully present in what is happening around you. Be aware of your thoughts and actions. Really live. Let yourself experience each part of each day, successes and failures. Stay conscious and aware of what you’re doing, and by doing so, choose what future you will create for yourself. “

John McGraw, who was named the school’s teacher of the year, said the graduates will fail, but that devastating failure is the “necessary byproduct of the fierce will to get it right, to study longer, to work harder.” He said to take on failures is a stepping stone for creativity.

“This teacher’s last assignment to you graduates is to create those paths. Stumble along the way. Step out of your comfort zone. Make mistakes. Fail. But know that each attempt is a step closer to success,” McGraw said. “You will emerge scarred and battle-hardened, but also fearless, persistent, and most importantly, wise.”

School board President Jane Bertone reflected on the East academic team that won the state championship last month. The last win by Downingtown was in 2002, before the high school spilt into two schools. She said that watching “you win the state championship is something that we are all so proud of; raising the trophy for the first time since 2002.”

As names were read for graduates to receive their diplomas at Kottmeyer Stadium in Downingtown, the crowd stood for student Andrew Girard Pernisi. He stood up from his wheelchair, and using a walker and with the assistance of his school aide, he walked across the stage to receive his diploma and a standing ovation.